This is a longer chapter from both of their point of views. I hope you enjoy it. Your reviews are always appreciated AND helpful

STEFAN'S POV.

The last few days seem as a never ending eternity of misery. I have put an immense amount of effort into my journey of moving on and forgetting about the tragedies of the past. She has always held power over me. She knew exactly how to manipulate me into believing her lies each time and making me feel utterly insane whenever I dared to question her motives. Katherine Pierce has ruined my life and left me lying dead on the battlefield with a broken, shattered soul …Thinking of it now, she mastered the art of making me absolutely unhappy. But I loved her more than anyone and anything in the world. Within her lived two contradicting sides, one of them won over my heart and the second broke it. One was absolutely striking. She was beautiful; the most beautiful girl I even laid eyes one. She was daring and confident and freer than the birds flying above. Her walk was so majestic and seductive, like she owned the world and all its creatures. She had big curls bouncing on her shoulders every time she moved, she was given the most beautiful brown eyes, her look showed all sorts of emotions, it was attractive and sexy yet innocent and deep. Her skin was silky as if it were made out of porcelain. But what I loved most about her was her child-like laugh, because her giggles were the most spontaneous and real thing about her. During them she'd allow herself to unveil the truth about who she is and let out a childish beautiful laugh that always held me captive. But she also carried a dark side. She was in constant need of full attention. And apparently mine wasn't enough. She loved the idea of being everybody's dream girl. She wanted everything to revolve around her. She was manipulative; she used my love for her and held it as a deadly weapon against me. She was also unbelievably selfish and I believe that she hasn't changed a bit ever since I first met her. All she cared about was herself and well being. Katherine Pierce was for sure her number one concern. Sometimes she would get jealous for absolutely no reason and turn the tables on me, accusing me of cheating on her or not loving her, while in fact I have dedicated my entire life to her for several years since I was an oblivious teenager. But all of those things don't come to compare with all of her lies. Not one bit. Katherine and I were romantically involved since my junior year. And I couldn't let go of her, not until she had ruined me completely. She adored playing games and breaking hearts. But I loved her with all my soul, with everything I had.

At least this time I didn't have to face seeing her standing on my doorstep and begging for my forgiveness as she usually does, at least his time I don't have to step on my heart and let her in again only for her to destroy me yet once more. Somehow she has managed to get Rebekah's number, and somehow she educated herself on my life and friends; pretending to give a damn about me and whatever is going on in my life . Maybe she meant to warn me about her soon entrance to my life all over again. I can only hope that it's not the case.

I noticed that my phone has been dead for several days so I charged it and I found multiple voice messages from Rebekah, Klaus even Caroline? And ELENA!

I can't begin to think what idea she must have of me right now. But it is probably for the best. Her hating me would save her so much heartache and trouble. A lively , beautiful person like her doesn't deserve to be with an emotionally scarred person , zombie like me. But she also deserves an explanation. She deserves to know that I'm the villain in this story and that she should have higher aspirations than myself and not to let the smiles and suits fool her.

ELENA's POV

It's been over a week since I last heard his voice. And seeing his name on my phone screen drew an instant smile on my face. Even if I had practically lost all hope. We skip all introductions as if we are hungry for each other's words and thoughts.

" So, did you finally pay your phone bill? You know if you need a raise, Caroline could always get you In good favors with Klaus." I say jokingly. I have had about ten days to think clearly about this. And I have realized that I really do like Stefan. I also concluded that I felt my happiest lately when I was with him and that he represented a good inspiration for me. People like him deserve to cut them some slack; after all I don't really know what was going on with his life.

"Oh! You mean Klaus.. My best friend of six years? ; Yeah, I think an old bottle of red wine would gain me his endless favors. Trust me on that one" He said through a laugh. All I can think about is how much I have missed listening to his voice and how even if he says all the words in the English vocabulary I'd always need to hear more.

"Same goes for Caroline."

"Listen, I really need to see you. I have something that I need to tell you, a lot that I need to tell you. Can I come over?" He asks and I look around me, I am sitting on my couch facing the tv screen and watching one of those annoying yet addictive reality tv shows. My place is a mess. I am a mess! But I am free so, why not?

"Yeah sure! I'm waiting for you."

" I'm on my way "

I put my phone down and I jump to my room. I try to look presentable. Since I've been sitting in my underwear and my big black hoodie and holding a bowl of cereal in my hands for the last couple hours. I put on a pair of blue jeans and a white button up shirt and my uggs. I release my hair from the messy bun it has been in. And I focus my attention on cleaning up my place in a defying humanity kind of speed.

Luckily, I managed to make my place look clean and organized in fifteen minutes. And when I was done, I started remembering how bothered and sad he sounded. His voice let out hints of enormous sadness and distress even if he was joking and laughing ;he usually sounds energetic and full of hope, like he's defied all obstacles. I started worrying about what could have possibly caused such a turn of character. I guess I'll have to wait for a couple more minutes.

Stefan's POV

It's freezing outside, but I chose to walk because I needed to clear my head, to gather my thoughts and prepare how I'm going to explain myself. I was planning to tell her over the phone, but as soon as I heard her voice I couldn't help it but to smile and to act like nothing is wrong, while there is a war in my head. I am torn between being with the one girl I've sincerely liked in years and stepping away and saving her the torture of being with a wreck like myself.

I climb the stairs, my hands in the pockets of my jacket. Probably looking at so much unease, I know that's how I feel anyway…

She welcomes me inside after, of course, pulling me in one of her warm hugs. Seeing her smile, makes me feel a little better, and more like a monster for not opening up sooner and hiding so much of my past already. We sit on the exact spot we did the last time I was here. She asks whether I want a drink and I motion no. I'm trying to get this over with, to spare me and her some heartache. So I take her hands in mine, look at her and say :

" I can't be with you Elena, you deserve so much better; you deserve someone who can give you all of themselves and I can't do that because I've already lost myself long ago, and I'm sure that there is no going back now. "

She looks, surprised, more like shocked. She wasn't expecting me to shift into someone else and I can't even blame her. My head hurts, everything does, I just wish the ground could swallow me, so I no longer have to break her heart nor remember how mine was broken several times through the years, in details. I don't want to remember the lies and the ache. I just want to move on. And Katherine can't even grant me that luxury.

"I don't understand" she looks worried and concerned, and not remotely angry or pissed at me. Now she's the one pressing on my hands and keeping them in hers. She's looking at me with so much love and comprehension. She doesn't want me to justify why I chose to end it, she wants to understand why I feel the way I do.

I let go of her hands and I stand up facing the wall feeling my blood boil inside of me because I really do like her and I don't want to hurt her.

"Because I'm ruined , Elena, for good. Because I was a fool before and I gave my heart on a silver plate to a person who only cared about herself, I promised forever to a liar and a manipulator . I gave my all, everything I had, too much, to go back from. I'm doomed with this fate. But .. that doesn't mean you have to suffer being with an emotional damaged person Elena! You deserve better than that.I can't be with you and watch myself destroy you like I've been destroyed ", I say and I think I even yelled at some parts. I let myself speak freely, I let myself let go of all of that anger bottled inside of me. I needed to.

"I don't believe that Stefan. I can't force you to be with me and I can't pretend to know all about you and your life. But I do know one thing, that the person that has inspired me to become a better person after seeing him only twice, can't possibly be ruined. The person who made me do the things that terrified me most for most part of my life, in a blink of an eye, can't possibly be done! The person who made me laugh and open up to him on our first date can't be damaged. I know that person well enough to know that you still have something to offer the world, something to offer me! , you have already made me so happy Stefan and .. "

I interrupt her suddenly overwhelmed by my feelings, I kiss her.

I put her face between my hands, and my lips fall on hers and it makes me feel like I've been born again. My heart skips a beat. The feeling of her kiss is heavenly, and out of the world. Her lips fit perfectly into mine. I feel as if my body is electrified. I think this is the closest to purity I've been my whole life. Sharing this with her simply feels right. I can feel her smiling through my lips. So we part a little and we look at each other for a minute, I keep playing with her hair, and I simply fall in love with her eyes, and all they carry behind them.

I smile and say " I think you might be right after all , Elena gilbert "

" I always am Stefan Salvatore " she let out a giggle after that sentence .

Then our lips meet again.

She's wearing her casual black leather jacket and her matching boots, sporting her signature curls and as usual turning heads. I've been shifting my focus to her for the past days. I can't believe how stunning she looks. I've been unable to gather the courage to walk up to her for a very long time. She's one of the very few girls who captured my attention at school. She walks like a goddess and seems not to care about what everyone thinks about her, or at least I think so. She changed her direction, and there a slight chance that she's coming towards me. And out of nowhere I see her standing in front of me, while shaping her lips into a smirk. She looks at me with her dark eyes and says

"Didn't anyone ever tell you that it's rude to stare Salvatore? "

" You don't seem to mind Katherine" I reply, there It goes all the bravery I ever held within my bones, all in one sentence

"Ooh! Shy yet talks back! I like it "she said while putting her hand on my chest and looking me in the eye.

"How about we get out of here, drinks on you?" she suggested with sunning confidence

"And why do you seem so sure that I'll say yes?" I answer

"Because Mr. sunshine, you've been stalking me for the last week and I get a feeling that It wasn't because you were drawing me a portrait or wanted to ask me about the color of my lipstick? Am I right? " she faced me with the facts and well she was right

"So you were checking me too ha?" wow, this is a nice turn of events, me showing my inner Casanova

"Last chance, Salvatore"

I lead her to my car and I say jokingly while opening the door for her.

"Welcome abroad ms pierce "

She looks at me and steals away my car keys and hops over to the driver's seat.

"A gentleman is always appreciated Stefan, but today you're the passenger in the flight"

If there were anything such as love at first sight, I think it must be what I'm experiencing right now. I am absolutely starstruck, and left stunned by this fiery creature in front of me .